Pressing machine



1956 L. D. BALDWIN PRESSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 27, 1953 In van far ArTy Jan. 24, 1956 Filed May 27, 1953 L. D. BALDWIN PRESSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 24, 1956 L. D. BALDWIN 2,731,743

PRESSING MACHINE Filed May 27, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 PRESSING MACHINE Lloyd 1). Baldwin, Tupelo, Miss. Application May 27, 1953, Serial No. 357,697

6 Claims. (Cl. 38-12) This invention relates generally to improvements in pressing machines and is directed particularly to an improved machine for pressing collars, cuifs, lapels or other folded articles of cloth.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a simple but efiicient machine by means of which folded cloth material can be easily and quickly pressed, such, for example, as the cuffs of mens trousers, the machine having as a particular novel feature thereof a means for spreading the end of the trouser leg at the cuff, so as to hold the material fiat and form front and back creases while the pressing operation is being carried out.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a machine of the above described character, a novel holding die for the material, which can be adjusted to accommodate trouser legs or cuffs of different widths.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a machine of the character stated, a pair of cooperating die plates which occupy a common plane and which are designed to be inserted into the bottom of a trousers leg, with means for effecting the separation of the die plates so as to stretch the material into a fiat condition preparatory for presentation to the pressing element of the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds and the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described since obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in top plan of a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation of the carriage frame per se.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of the inner side of one side of the body frame showing the carriage frame guide tracks.

Figure 6 is a detailed section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the rear sides of the die plates and carrying means therefor or, the sides of such plates opposite from the sides shown in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a view in perspective of the die plate holders. Figure 10 is a view in perspective of a treadle structure for actuating the machine.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings the reference character T designates in Figures 2 and 3 the broken line representation of a portion of a suitable supporting structure such as a table top or the like upon States Patent 0 Patented Jan. 24, 1956 which the present machine may be mounted and to which it may be secured.

The machine which is designed to be placed upon the table or other support comprises a rectangular body frame which is generally designated 10 and which is made up of the front and back transversely extending angle iron beams 12 and 14 respectively which rigidly join together the longitudinal side walls 16.

The transverse beams 12 and 14 are designed to be bolted or screwed to the supporting table structure as indicated at 18. However, any other suitable means may be provided for securing the machine to the supporting structure.

Secured longitudinally of the inner face of each side wall 16 are the vertically spaced track or guide rails 20, the lower one of which is a substantial elevation above the horizontal plane of the beams 12 and 14 as shown.

Designed for reciprocal movement between the side walls 16 is the rectangular carriage frame which is generally designated 25 and which comprises the front and back ransverse bars 26 and 27 respectively and the longitudinal side bars 28 which connect the front and back bars.

Each of the side bars 23 carries a pair or more of rollers 29 upon its outer side and these rollers are of a diameter to position between the adjacent pair of track rails 20 as is clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, resting upon the lower ones of the rails so that the carriage frame may be easily shifted backwardly and forwardly.

At the transverse center of the back bar 27 the carriage has secured to the under side thereof the movement limiting yoke 39 which has the downwardly directed front and rear fingers 31 and 32 respectively which are of suflicient length to have their lower ends lie below the top edge of the back cross beam 14 as shown in Figure 3 and a portion of this cross beam lies between the stop fingers so that upon forward movement of the carriage frame finger 32 will contact the beam 14 and limit such forward movement and upon backward movement the front or forward finger 31 will contact the beam and limit the backward movement of the carriage.

The carriage 25 is designed to be moved rearwardly by hand and in such rearward movement tension is applied to a return spring 33, which has one end secured to the back bar 27 while the forward end is secured to a fixed part of the machine, as shown in Figure 3 and hereinafter described.

Adjacent to the forward bar 26 the carriage has secured transversely thereacross, a rail 34, the ends of which rest upon the tops of the side bars 28 and are secured thereto in any suitable manner as by means of screws 35.

The rail 34 is elevated through a portion of the central part thereof as indicated at 34a to provide a stop for the hereinafter described die holders and Spreaders.

Between the rail 34 and the front bar 26 of the carriage, each of the side bars 28 has secured thereto the upstanding collar post 36 which carries a collar 37 upon its top end and extending transversely of the carriage frame is a shaft 38 which has its ends engaging in the opposite collars 37 and secured by screws 39.

The shaft 33 is secured against rotation by the set screws 39 and supports at its center or midway between its ends, the die holder and spreader unit which is generally designated 40.

The unit 40 comprises two inner sleeves 41, mounted upon the shaft 38 and secured thereto for desired adjustment thereon relative to one another, by set screws 42.

The inner sleeves 41 have the oppositely directed inclined camming surfaces or faces 43, each of which cooperates with a correspondingly sloped or inclined camming surface 44 formed upon the end of an outer cam sleeve 45, which is also mounted upon the shaft 38 and is intended to turn thereon.

Each of the outer cam sleeves 45 has formed integral herewith a Wing plate 46 which. cons itute a die holde These wing plates 46 lie ina common plane and are vertically disposed under normal conditions, that is, when a pressing operation is not being carried out.

Each of the wing plates 46 has a pair of screw openings 47 therethrough and one of such plates has connected therewith a handle member 48. which is secured in the outer cam sleeve 45 to which the wing plate is attached.

Extending across the back of each of the wing plates 46 is a sleeve 49. These sleeves 49 are in alignment and have extending therethrough a coupling pin 50 by which the wing plates are connected together so that when rotary motion is given to one outer cam sleeve by means of the handle 48, like motion will be imparted to the other outer earn sleeve 45, as will be readily apparent.

Secured to each of the wing plates 46 is an elongate die plate 51. These die plates like the wing plates, lie in a common plane at all times and turn about the shaft simultaneously and may also be separated or moved apart on the shaft by means of the contacting cumming faces 43 and 44 of the adjacent sleeves 41 and 45.

At opposite sides of the unit 40 the shaft 38 carries a coil spring 52 which bears at one end against the collar 3') while its opposite or inner end bears against the adjacent outer cam sleeve 45. These springs 52 constantly urge the outer cam sleeves toward one another so as to maintain the camming faces 43 and 44 of the inner and outer cam sleeves, in contact.

Disposed transversely of the machine is an elongate bridge structure which is generally designated 53 and which comprises the long flat top member 54, the ends of which are secured to a supporting upright 55 from the bottom of which extends outwardly the flange 56 which rests upon and is secured to the supporting table T by bolts 57 or in any other suitable manner.

Each of the uprights or standards 55 of the bridge structure has secured to its surface the spaced parallel vertical guides 58.

Lying beneath the top member of the bridge 53 and between the standards 55 is the pressing unit which is generally designated 59 and which comprises the top press plate 60, each end of which is joined to a vertical side member or leg 61, which is in spaced opposed relation with a standard 55. Each of the side members or legs 61 carries upon its outer side the vertical rib 62, which slidably engages between the adjacent pair of guides 58.

The supporting table or surface T is provided with suitable openings or slot t through which the ends of the lower legs 61 extend and each of these legs is connected by a suitable, adjustable thrust rod 63 with any suitable typeof treadle structure by means of which an operator can effect the elevation of the pressing unit 59.

A suitable treadle operating means for the press unit may be as illustrated in Figure 10, where there is provided a lower bar member 64 to each end of which a push rod 6.: is attached, supported on the forward end of pedal 65, which may be suitably pivotally supported on the underlying floor surface as indicated at66. This structure has been illustrated and described merely to show one possible means by which an operator can effect the raising and lowering of the press unit and accordingly it is understood that the invention is not limited to the use of this particular means of operating the press unit, as, obviously, other means may be made use of.

Secured along the under side of the press unit plate 69 is a heater-carrying plate 67, upon the top of which are secured suitable electric heating coils 68. As shown in Figure 3 the plate 67 is spaced from the press plate 60 so that the heating coils do not come in direct contact with the press plate, but the latter plate will receive suitable heat frcm the coils to effect the desired pressing operation. I

Upon the under side of the heating coil carrying plate 4 67 is secured a suitable electrical junction block 69 into which electric current carr in semesters 7 0 xten from a suitable source and wherein the desired connections are made with the heating coils 68.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the handle or lever 48 is released the thrust action of the springs 52 against the outer ends of the outer cam sleeves will cause the inclined inner ends of-tlte sleeves to be pressed against the inclined surfaces 43 of the fixed inner cam sleeves 41 and the spreader plateswill thus be automatically raised to a vertical position as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. When in this position the cuffs or other material pieces are engaged over the two adjacent die plates 51 and the operator, by grasping the lever 48, then swings the die plate supporting wings 46, and the plates 51 carried thereby, forwardly and downwardly to the horizontal position illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 3. The height of the posts 36 is such that when the die plates 51 are turned down to the horizontal position they will be at the proper elevation to move under the top member 54 of the bridge, between the latter and the press plate 60. Thus the top member 51 also becomes a press plate but it is not directly heated; like the plate 60. The operator by then pressing down-upon the back end of the pedal 65, effects the raising or the press unit'59 to'thus move the plate 60 upwardly toward the top member 54 and compress the material, carried on the die plates 51, between the plates 66 and the top plate member 54 of the bridge 53.

The spring 33 is here illustrated, Figure 3, as having one end attached to the bar 27 and the other end attached to the junction box 69 which, while it moves vertically slightly with the pressing unit, does not move horizontally and thus when the carriage 25 is pushed rearwardly by the Operator to enter the spreader die. plates 51 between the plate 60 and the member 54, the spring 33 will be placed under, tension and when the operator releases the carriage 25 the spring will move the carriage forwardly to the position in which it is shown in Figure 3, which movement is limited by the stop finger 32.

The rest 34a is in positio to 'be engaged by the wing P at s 6 when th uni 4 i swims forwardly and downwardly so as to stop the plates 51 in the desired horizontal Pos tion a ill be readi y apparen r m the totes. as i w tlbe pare that there is p o ide y the Pr ent n ention, a relatively simple but highly sfiis ent mach ne by m ns of whi h c ffs, u h a those at the bottoms of trouserlegs, lapels, and other aps or urned p sses f m teri m y be easily and quickly pressed and when the machine is used for pressing trouser culls it will be seen that when the plates 51 are spread apart they will stretch the trouser leg and the edges of the plaIfiS Will form the desired front andrear creases,

Where a spread between the plates 51 may be desired, the set screws 42 can be loosened and the inner sleeves separated the desired distance and then resecured.

I claim:

3. A pressing machineof the character stated comprising a supporting frame, a carriage mounted on said frame or hor zon al restilinee mo em t me a e by the carriage for supporting a piece of material in a pree ib d PQiliQ 3 for Pressing a pai of re e press plates o nted an a sl frame i sh red relat sn e b v he et er idm e alsvPPert-ins t eans e n ad p to be positioned to introduce the material between said plates when saidcarriageis moved in one direction, means for moving one of said plates into and out of pressing relation with the other plate, and means for heating one of the plates.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said me an sfor supporting a piece 0f material comprises a flat t e wh t e mate al i ared nd means s r- Pq ins the un o th s u us; er m em f m a position in a vertical plane to a position in a horizontal plane for its passage between said plates upon movement of the carriage in the said one direction.

3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting a piece of material comprises a thin fiat rectangular plate having a non-working position in which it is disposed in a vertical plane extending across the path of movement of the carriage, and a pivotal support for said fiat plate by which the flat plate may be swung rearwardly and downwardly on an axis extending across said path to a horizontal position.

4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting a piece of material comprises a pair of thin fiat plates positioned in edge to edge relation and having a non-working position in which they are disposed in a vertical plane extending across the path of movement of the carriage, a pivotal supporting means for the flat plates by which the same may be swung as a unit about an axis extending across said path to a horizontal rearwardly directed position, and means for effecting a separation of said flat plates simultaneously with the swinging thereof.

5. A pressing machine of the character stated comprising a body structure having two spaced parallel side members, a carriage disposed between said side members, tracks supporting the carriage on the side members for rectilinear movement, a shaft supported on and disposed transversely of the carriage, means carried by the shaft for supporting a piece of material in a prescribed position for pressing, said means comprising a pair of thin fiat plates, sleeves secured to said plates and encircling the shaft for turning movement thereon whereby the same may be swung from an upright position to a rearwardly directed horizontal position, a pair of horizontal vertically spaced press plates, means supporting one press plate for movement relative to the other, said material supporting plates when in said horizontal position being at an elevation to be shifted by movement of the carriage rearwardly into position between said press plates, means for moving said one press plate toward and away from the other, and means for heating one of the press plates.

6. A pressing machine of the character stated comprising a body structure having two spaced parallel side members, a carriage disposed between said side members, tracks supporting the carriage on the side members for rectilinear movement, a shaft supported on and disposed transversely of the carriage, means carried by the shaft for supporting a piece of material in a prescribed position for pressing, said means comprising two thin fiat plates, a pair of sleeves, each sleeve being connected with one plate, said sleeves encircling and being rotatable on the shaft and said plates being in edge opposed relation, :1 pair of collars fixed to the shaft between the sleeves, each collar and a sleeve adjacent thereto having contacting camrning faces whereby the sleeves and plates will be separated when the sleeves are turned on the shaft, means coupling the plates for unitary turning, spring means on the shaft and engaging the sleeves at their remote ends to urge the sleeves toward the collars, means for effecting rotation of the sleeves in one direction to turn the plates rearwardly and downwardly to a rearwardly directed horizontal position, a pair of horizontal vertically spaced press plates, means supporting one press plate for movement relative to the other, said material supporting plates when in said horizontal position being at an elevation to be shifted by movement of the frame rearwardly into position between said press plates, means for moving said one press plate toward and away from the other, and means for heating one of the press plates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

